Pierre Kalulu accepts Juventus must own up after a 5-2 collapse to Galatasaray, leaving a daunting deficit for the February 25 return. Punters may favour Galatasaray to progress or target markets like over 3.5 goals and Both Teams To Score given Juventus’ defensive lapses and injury concerns.
Juventus Humiliated in Istanbul as Champions League Hopes Hang by a Thread
Juventus surrendered a 2-1 half-time lead to collapse 5-2 against Galatasaray in the Champions League play-off first leg, leaving themselves a monumental task ahead of the second leg on February 25. Teun Koopmeiners’ brace had turned the tie around early, but a defensive meltdown after the break cost the visitors dearly.
Kalulu: “No Excuses” After Second-Half Collapse
Pierre Kalulu refused to hide behind excuses after the defeat, saying goals “keep coming from our own errors” and that the second-half showing was the hardest to stomach. He stressed the team must move on quickly and find answers before the return fixture, acknowledging the need to lift their heads and improve.
Red Card Sparked Controversy but Wasn’t the Only Problem
A sending-off left Juventus a man down during the second half and compounded an already difficult evening. Kalulu, who was recently involved in a red card incident in Serie A, described recent events as something best left behind and urged focus on the pitch rather than off-field disputes.
Injury Woes Add to Selection Headaches
Juventus’ woes were compounded by injuries, with Gleison Bremer forced off in the first half and several players unavailable for the trip. Absences in key positions clearly affected balance and depth, leaving tactical options limited and contributing to the collapse.
Tactical Breakdown: Defensive Errors and Missed Opportunities
After leading into half-time, Juventus failed to manage the game’s tempo or protect their advantage. Defensive errors repeatedly invited pressure and clear scoring chances for Galatasaray, who capitalised ruthlessly. The manner of the goals suggests systemic issues in organisation and communication at the back.
What This Means for the Second Leg
Juventus face an uphill battle and must show a marked improvement in defensive discipline and mental resilience. The tie is far from over, but the margin demands a much more aggressive and error-free display in the return fixture if they are to progress.
Key Takeaways
Kalulu’s candid assessment highlights accountability within the squad, but on-field errors and fitness doubts are the immediate problems to solve. For bettors, the result increases the appeal of markets favouring Galatasaray progression and high-scoring outcomes unless Juventus can demonstrate rapid defensive repair.
Spalletti previews Juventus vs. Galatasaray: ‘No hiding, we want to win’
Pierre Kalulu insists Juventus cannot hide behind alibis after their 5-2 defeat to Galatasaray, and wants to put the Alessandro Bastoni incident behind him. ‘It’s a pity.’The Bianconeri had been...
Yahoo! News
